Movies like Major Payne

This classic follows the life of a young man in Navy Officer Candidate School who is mentored by a tough sergeant. The transformative journey and military backdrop provide a dramatic yet similar watch for those who enjoyed the themes of mentorship and growth in Major Payne.

This film falls into the same genre of bumbling recruits facing a rigorous training regime. While centered around a police academy rather than a military setting, fans of Major Payne will appreciate the similar humor and character dynamics.

Clint Eastwood stars in this film about a tough Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant tasked with whipping a platoon of misfits into shape. While more of a drama with comedic elements than Major Payne, the military setting and personal transformations are comparable.

Stripes is a classic military comedy centered around a group of misfit recruits and their incompetent drill sergeant. Much like Major Payne, it involves training sequences that lead to plenty of laughs and showcases the antics that follow when unprepared recruits are put to the test.

Sgt. Bilko stars Steve Martin in a role as a con artist leading a group of soldiers. The film's comedy comes from the shenanigans of the unit and the titular character's schemes, likely resonating with fans of Major Payne's own brand of military humor.

In this comedy, we follow the hilarious misadventures of two slackers who decide to join the Army Reserve to make some money. The comedy style is similar to Major Payne, with its focus on military life and humor arising from the clash of civilian attitudes with military discipline.

This film features a down-on-his-luck businessman who ends up teaching an unconventional class of Army recruits. Danny DeVito's character in Renaissance Man uses unique methods to reach his platoon, which echoes the themes of humor and personal growth found in Major Payne.

Though not strictly military, Drillbit Taylor offers a similar premise with a pseudo-military character hired to protect a group of kids from bullies. The light-hearted take on the training and protective role echoes the themes of Major Payne.